Periodically, waves of enthusiasm overcome scores of Australian children for the latest fad, prompting confusion, fear or outrage among older generations.

In the mid-1990s, the craze was for Tazos: small, circular cardboard discs decorated with characters from various media franchises, such as Looney Tunes, The Simpsons and Star Wars. Sold inside chip packets, these collectible discs became both a source of fun and a status symbol – leading to potential schoolyard tensions.

A WIN News Ballarat report tracks the spread of Tazos to primary schools in regional Victoria. Children are shown poring over hundreds of Tazos, comparing their albums with their classmates. Reporter Maree Cullinan interviews students and school personnel, representing varied perspectives on this Pog-style trinket. Some adults believe Tazos distract from learning and encourage disputes, while others believe they are essentially harmless. Kids affirm the fun they're having and the ease of trading.

Though the report is rooted in the parental panic of the moment, Cullinan makes it clear that they're nothing new. She mentions the historical obsession with football and basketball cards – and viewers looking back will know that Japanese franchises Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon and Beyblade came soon after, dominating the collectibles market in the early 2000s.